I'm a pretty big fan of leftovers, though I have a few rules regarding them.
Note: These are silly, self-imposed rules that have little to do with health, sanitation or anything else one might need to be concerned with when dealing with leftovers. They exist purely to satisfy my weird little tastes and OCD-type habits.
1. I will not eat leftovers for the same meal the following day. For example, I will not eat Monday's dinner leftovers for dinner on Tuesday. Wednesday, the leftovers are fair game. I didn't even realize that I do this until Chris pointed it out to me.
2. The only time I will have leftovers the next day is if it is for a different meal period. For example, Monday's dinner leftovers are totally acceptable for Tuesday's lunch.
3. I prefer to eat leftovers with something new. I might cook up some new quinoa to go with those leftover beans and veggies or at the very least, make up a fresh salad to go with that leftover stew.
4. If at all possible, leftovers can and will be used as an ingredient for a new meal. For example, if I have some roasted corn and white bean spread leftover from the other night's pizza and some ancho chili cashew cheese leftover from yesterday's sausage french toast breakfast sandwich, then both can be used as ingredients for totally awesome grilled cheese sandwiches.
These sandwiches satisfy all of my little leftover rules which makes me like them all the more. The roasted corn and white bean spread are from a dinner a couple nights ago and the cheese is from a different meal period the day prior so they satisfy rules 1 and 2. The little mini sandwiches are made with slices from a fresh baguette and also include some freshly sliced roma tomato and red onion (rule number 3 totally satisfied).
It doesn't hurt that these little sandwiches are also ridiculously delicious. I shouldn't have been surprised when combining super tasty elements of two recent dishes, but my first bite of these adorable little melty sandwiches shocked me a little. The tiny bit of added vegan mozzarella just absolutely makes these sandwiches and the juiciness from the tomatoes accents the roasted corn and the spicy cashew cheese perfectly. Of course, these sandwiches could totally be made on a different bread in a larger form, but tiny sandwiches are so much more fun (and cute). They are messy (the tastiest foods usually are) but I didn't care because what I was licking off my fingers was just leftover heaven.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- olive oil spray
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 15oz can of great northern white beans (or 1 1/2 cups cooked beans)
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked for 1-2 hours (or overnight), reserve the water
- 5 tablespoons of reserved soaking water
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon white miso
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ancho chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 baguette
- vegan mozzarella shreds (I used Trader Joe's brand, but daiya would work just as well)
- 2-3 roma tomatoes, thinly sliced
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the corn kernels out on the baking sheet. Lightly spray with olive oil and top with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Toss to coat. Roast for 10 minutes, tossing once halfway through. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
- Combine 1 cup of the roasted corn with the other corn puree ingredients and puree until smooth. Add in the remaining corn kernels and the basil and pulse a few times until incorporated and the corn is broken up into chunks. Set aside.
- This can be done a day or two in advance, if needed. Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Add more water to thin out the sauce, if necessary. Chill until ready to use.
- Slice the baguette on a light diagonal, making about 12-16 1/2 inch thick slices.
- On one baguette slice, spread about 1 tablespoon (or a little more if needed) of the corn & white bean spread. Top with 1-2 tomato slices and sprinkle with a little vegan mozzarella shreds.
- On the baguette slice, spread about 1/2 a tablespoon of the cashew cheese. Place on top of the other slice (on top of the tomatoes), cheese side down.
- Repeat with the remaining baguette slices.
- Heat a large frying pan or griddle over medium-low heat. Lightly spray with olive oil. Place a few of the sandwiches on the pan/griddle and lightly spray the tops of the sandwiches with more olive oil spray. Cover the pan with a lid or make a "tent" with aluminum foil. This helps hold in the heat and helps the cheese melt more quickly. Flip after 3-4 minutes (once the bread is golden and toasted) and cook for about 3-4 more minutes. Remove from the pan/griddle and place on a plate covered with a kitchen towel to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
What are your thoughts on leftovers?
Photography by Chris Miller
Maria Tadic
These are so cute! I really wanna try that cashew cheese. I've tried to make it a few times and I just don't think it's coming out right - sometimes not the right texture, other times the taste is off. But the ingredients and flavor in this sound awesome! Any tips for "perfecting" cashew cheese?
Caitlin
i love all your little rules. i have no leftover rules, except that i WANT there to be leftovers so i don't have to cook the next day 😉
rika@veganmiam.com
Yummy yummy yummy! I love the rustic bread you used for the grilled cheese sandwiches! The roasted corn & white bean spread sounds yummy!
The Vegan Cookie Fairy
Ha! I'm the same. But because I live by myself when I cook from a recipe I make two portions: one for today, one for tomorrow (usually dinner/lunch, though sometimes necessity makes me have the same thing for lunch or dinner two days in a row) so that doesn't count as leftovers. Leftovers for me is usually too little to be counted as a portion, so I add stuff to it...
I think I may have an even more complicated leftovers policy than you do! 😛
Claire Suellentrop
These are just too cute--especiallly the shot of all the different versions on cutting boards. Love it!
I haven't been much of a grilled cheese fan ever since I began eating for health several years back--even when I was just vegetarian and not vegan--but these look just as high in nutrients as they do in flavor. I'm currently living without an oven but, once I get my hands on one, can't wait to try 🙂
Gabby @ the veggie nook
10000 x yes to that cheeze! It sounds insane Kristy!
I love your leftover rules and I totally follow ALL of them funnily enough. Do you think it's possible we were separated at birth?
Richa
i have similar rules for leftovers. i need to make newer things with them, else i have the meal with a sad face:)
love the cutting board shots
Heather
Oh man, I never realized it but I pretty much have the same "rules" for leftovers- I am funny about freezing leftovers, if I am going to I have to freeze them the same night I made them, not the next day...I have no idea why, it is not like they have gone bad overnight, considering that I typically will eat the leftover for lunch the next day (but never for dinner unless it is a new creation) funny how that works- I bet lots of people share the same leftover "system" 🙂 These little sammies are adorable and look amazing! xo
christine
I love leftovers - you just never know how they're going to transmogrify, do you? These sandwiches look so sweet - love the different shots of them:)
Lora G
oh my!!!! Where did you get those mini wood boards that you display the bread pieces on? I have been searching for something like that for days and stumbled upon your amazing blog.. please help!
keepinitkind
I think I got them at a TJ Maxx Homegoods several years ago.